Financial Economics BSc(Hons)

Attendance

UCAS code/apply

Year of entry

3 years full time

L111

2018

4 years full time including foundation year

L11A

2018

6 years part time

Apply direct to the University

2018

Why choose this course?

This course offers more than just mainstream economics. You will study both traditional and alternative approaches to economics, including controversial theories informed by the financial crisis of 2008. This will help you develop a better understanding of the real world and a more critical approach to economics. The Financial Economics BSc(Hons) has a specific focus on studying issues that affect domestic and global finance.

Throughout the degree you will develop core skills valued by employers. For example, the Working as an Economist module develops your researching, writing and presenting skills. Our graduates work in a range of occupations, such as economists in the City of London and in management positions at multinational companies like Deloitte, HSBC, KPMG and PwC.

Foundation year - Social Sciences

If you are thinking of returning to education after a break you could apply for our foundation year course. This course will provide you with the academic and transferable skills you need to study an undergraduate degree in any of the Social Sciences. At Kingston these include Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, Economics and Politics.

Throughout the year-long course, you can study a range of these subjects, allowing you to get a better idea of which ones you prefer. It'll guide you in the direction of a social sciences degree that you're particularly interested in. The foundation year will develop your independent study skills and help you to better understand your academic ability, a potential career path and how to develop the skills that employers look for in graduates.

Watch this video to find out what our students have to say about studying economics at Kingston:

What you will study

This course builds your knowledge of core topics and different schools of thought in economics. The Financial Economics BSc(Hons) explores the interplay of financial markets, instruments and institutions and their impact on the economy.

Year 1 provides the foundation for the study of economics. The Capitalism module provides the historical background to modern economics. Becoming an Economist explains alternative perspectives in economics. Economic Policy and Principles looks at microeconomics (individual or company decisions) and macroeconomics (national decisions). Economics Quantitatively Treated provides the mathematical and statistical foundations to study economics.

Year 2 builds your knowledge through modules on Macroeconomic Analysis, Microeconomic Analysis, Economics Quantitatively Treated and Corporate Finance and Investment. Macroeconomics covers mainstream and alternative approaches to economic modelling. You will also have the option to study abroad at one of our partner universities.

In Year 3, Finance, Risk Management and Instability provides an in-depth study of financial economics such as bond pricing and dividend policy, and the development of risk-management tools. In Working as an Economist you will focus on a topic in financial economics, and develop your research, writing and communication skills. You will also choose two optional modules.

Module listing

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Foundation year

Overcoming the challenges in understanding individual and collective human behaviour

Overcoming the challenges in understanding individual and collective human behaviour

The module introduces you to a wide spectrum of disciplines and approaches in social and behavioural sciences. It'll look at common features of any social sciences degree, like the study of collective and individual human behaviour, and defining features of the individual disciplines.

A key focus will be on the overlapping boundaries between different disciplines in the social and behavioural sciences. You'll learn how to use qualitative research methods to understand collective and individual human behaviour.

By the end of the module, you'll have a better understanding of the differences and commonalities of the individual fields of study within the social and behavioural sciences and the key features of each.

Using Quantitative Methods

Using Quantitative Methods enables you to apply mathematical knowledge to solve a range of problems within social and behavioural scientific contexts. You'll learn how to use calculators and computer software to analyse and present mathematical data in a variety of formats, and develop your competence in algebraic, graphical, numerical and statistical techniques, as well as elementary formal logic.

Becoming an Active Learner

Becoming an Active Learner

This module aims to prepare you for undergraduate study and gives you the skills and knowledge related to the study of social and behavioural science subjects. You'll cover research skills (like using a library and electronic resources), planning, note taking, building a bibliography, and avoiding plagiarism. You will also develop your communication skills, especially focusing on essay and report writing, delivering presentations and being an active participant in debates and discussions. It'll give you helpful strategies for time management and stress management, particularly focusing on recognising points at which stress needs to be dealt with.

The module will encourage you to develop the independent learning, critical analysis, and reflective skills crucial to succeeding in a degree.

Year 1 (Level 4)

Becoming an Economist

Becoming an Economist

The module is designed to help students develop many of the basic skills used in the discipline of economics. The module explores and covers a variety of study and research techniques. Students will develop skills in the use of language, writing, ICT usage, data collection, data interpretation and groupwork. Key threshold economic concepts will also be incorporated. Particular emphasis will be placed on small group learning and personal development planning.

Economic Policy and Principles

In this module, students are introduced to the techniques of model building and analytical reasoning used in microeconomics. Some of these techniques are then used as an input into the analysis of economics at the macroeconomic level. In the early phase of the module, students are taught about microeconomic models and explore the application of these models, to current economic issues. Whilst, in the later phase, students learn about the main macroeconomic aggregates, the basic model of aggregate demand and supply and the importance of the time horizon in macroeconomics.

Throughout the course, there is an emphasis on highlighting and considering the pros and cons of the suggested solutions to real problems faced by market economies.

Economics Quantitatively Treated 1

This module provides an introduction to mathematical and statistical techniques; students are prompted to appreciate how mathematical reasoning is used in economics and develop skills in the numerical, graphical and statistical analysis of economic data. The course starts with a review of material that may have been encountered in students' previous studies, such as mathematics at GCSE or IB level, and moves on to developing their knowledge, understanding and ability to apply quantitative concepts, of particular relevance for microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.

Capitalism

This module is a core course for students pursuing full-field programmes in Economics.

This module offers a detailed survey of the origins and emergence of capitalism and the economic thinking that paralleled these developments. It will develop key aspects of the contemporary economy – firms and competition in the national and international environment and the role of the state in national and supra-national contexts. It will then proceed with an introduction to the role of finance in capitalism and the nature and causes of financial crises.

Year 2 (Level 5)

Corporate Finance and Investment

Corporate Finance and Investment

This module provides an introduction to modern finance and financial markets. Core elements of corporate finance are examined in the broader context of the working of financial markets and institutions, and the pricing of financial assets. We will discuss key analytical concepts, tools and theories of financial decision making and the functioning of financial markets, and examine empirical information about trends in the global financial system.

Macroeconomics

This module aims to develop and build mainly on knowledge acquired in the Economic Policy and Principles module at level 4 but also the economics quantitatively treated module of the same level. It provides fundamental knowledge on the key areas of macroeconomic theory and policy in the short-run and long-run and within both closed and open economy settings. Real world applications are signposted at the earliest opportunity.

On completion of the module you will be able to comprehend key macroeconomic theories and policies and illustrate the application of macroeconomic models and principles in the context of policymaking.

Microeconomics

This module will develop the model building techniques encountered at level 4, and extend the scope of these models to a wider range of problems. It will show the use of microeconomic models in a problem solving context and provide an analytical basis for subsequent elective modules.

On completion of the module, you will have a good knowledge of the major techniques and issues in modern microeconomic theory and policy and how to apply this knowledge in the discussion and evaluation of contemporary microeconomic issues.

Year 3 (Level 6)

Finance, Risk Management and Instability

This module is a core course in the field of Financial Economics for students at level 6. It may also be taken by students from the Business and Economics fields.

The module introduces students to the contemporary workings of financial markets with emphasis on risk management. The module will cover some of the main topics of financial theory including economic risk, portfolio theory and the efficient markets hypothesis. It will also introduce students to the key instruments of derivatives markets, analyzing their trading mechanisms and established patterns. The module will further deal with advanced aspects of corporate finance and it will conclude by addressing the policy responses in the context of a contemporary world characterized by increasing financial instability. Core factual material is provided via StudySpace with keynote lectures and selected worksheets used to explain concepts. The module provides the essential groundwork not only for the understanding of practical issues regarding financial markets and corporation management but also for a successful postgraduate studies.

Working as an Economist

The capstone module is designed to further students' skills in writing and presenting economic analysis, together with achieving a higher level of understanding in a chosen economic subject area. Students will refine their ability to communicate economic subjects to a broad audience in an academically sound fashion.

Advanced Economic Policy and Principles

This module considers recent developments in micro and macroeconomic theory and policy. Inter alia this involves the incorporation of market imperfections and institutions into formal models and the use of more advanced techniques in economics. The interaction between models and data in macroeconomics is emphasised where appropriate.

Development Economics

This module will introduce the economic structure of developing countries, the specific challenges they face and their position in world economy today. It is an optional module for all Economics full-fields and Applied Economics. It should intrest all students who wish to acquire a good background in issues of growth and development in lower income countries and their significance for world economy.

The will start by introducing theories of economic development amd measurement issues. It will examine some problems affecting all or groups of these countries, such as population growth, poverty, environment, income distribution, structural adjustment and volatile capital flows. It will also deal with policy issues specific to developing countries

International Trade and Finance

The module analyses the essential theoretical and policy issues of international trade and finance. In doing so care is taken to link both international trade and finance theory with real world events.

Mathematical Economics

This module will build on the mathematical presentation and analysis of economic models taught in the level 5 module EQT2. It is designed to inform students of the deeper aspects of the models they have seen hitherto as well as to enable them to appreciate the benefits of dynamic forms of analysis. A good performance in this module should enable a student to approach an MSc in Economics with some confidence in their mathematical training.

Money, Banking and Financial Markets

The module focuses on understanding the monetary sector of the economy. The role of banks and financial markets will lay the foundations for understanding the ensuing topics. The module proceeds to explain the interaction between money and the economy, and moves on to monetary policy institutions and strategies. The module closes with a discussion of financial crises.

You will have the opportunity to study a foreign language, free of charge, during your time at the University on a not-for-credit basis as part of the Kingston Language Scheme. Options currently include: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

We aim to ensure that all courses and modules advertised are delivered. However in some cases courses and modules may not be offered. For more information about why, and when you can expect to be notified, read our Changes to Academic Provision.